Local Violence and the Timing of Marriage and Pregnancy: The Case of Mexico

• In Event: 038 - Section on Sociology of Population Roundtables (one-hour)
  In Refereed Roundtable: Table 07. Abortion, Pregnancy and Childbearing Preferences

Abstract

Globally, homicide is one of the most widespread forms of social unrest. The demographic consequences of homicide gain relevance in light of its concentration among the young male disadvantaged population. But despite its epidemic character and its drastic economic and psychological impacts on affected communities, we know surprisingly little about how exposure to high homicide rates affect women’s fertility and union formation. Using the case of Mexico, this paper uses survival analysis and local violence data to assess the causal effect of long and short-term exposure to local violence on women’s age at first marriage and first pregnancy.

Author

• Monica Lisette Caudillo, New York University